LeBron James is making his return to the Los Angeles Lakers soon after nursing a sciatica injury. He missed the first 14 games of the season, but reports suggest he’s set to debut against the Jazz.
His return is crucial, considering the increasing issue of star player availability in the NBA. This season, injuries and illnesses have already sidelined players for over 200 games, doubling the number from two years ago. Notably, rising stars Victor Wembanyama and Ja Morant recently joined the list of players out due to injury.
Wembanyama’s much-anticipated debut was on national TV, and fans were excited to see him play against Morant. However, both will now miss time with calf strains, highlighting a discouraging trend in the league. So far, 45 players meet the NBA’s “star” criteria—players who’ve made an All-Star or All-NBA team in recent seasons—yet they are averaging about five missed games each.
The frequency of star players absent from games is shocking. They now miss roughly one out of every three games, a steep increase from just a season ago when they missed about one in every ten. The current situation is alarming: stars appeared in only 56% of their teams’ games this season, a decline that usually doesn’t happen until later in the year as teams prepare for the playoffs.
What’s driving this increase in injuries? Historical context shows that the pace of play in the NBA is at its highest in decades. Players are covering more ground than ever, which could lead to fatigue and injuries. Steve Kerr, coach of the Golden State Warriors, pointed out that excessive mileage is likely contributing to these injuries.
Not only are popular players like Davis, Morant, and Wembanyama sidelined now, but the injury issue extends to other stars who are struggling to stay healthy. High-profile injuries among players like Kyrie Irving and Jayson Tatum have put further strains on team rosters.
The NBA introduced a rule in 2023 requiring players to participate in at least 65 games for postseason awards eligibility. Ironically, this has not led to more players hitting the court, with only 13 of 45 stars thus far able to boast unbroken attendance. Players now find themselves in a dilemma: they want to return quickly but must be cautious about re-injury.
Looking ahead, there may be some hope for fans. According to Jeff Stotts, an injury tracker, the total games lost due to injury are not significantly higher than previous seasons. This shows a potential stabilizing trend, but it’s a stark contrast to past observations where injuries spiked.
As LeBron prepares to return, it’s clear that his presence is more needed than ever in a league grappling with so many sidelined stars. Fans hope he can lead the charge toward a healthier NBA season.
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